Gqeberha – A South African Police Service (SAPS) officer has been praised for going beyond the call of duty after regularly visiting a five-month-old baby boy who was found abandoned in bushes in Gqeberha and fighting for his life in hospital.
The infant was rescued on 2 June after SAPS members from Gelvandale responded to reports that a baby had been abandoned in bushes in the Windvogel area.
Police launched an urgent search and found the child cold and severely dehydrated after he had allegedly been exposed to the elements for nearly 24 hours.
The baby was immediately rushed to Dora Nginza Hospital, where medical staff treated him for his condition.
While the rescue operation ended with the infant receiving medical care, one of the responding officers, Constable Pereira, continued to follow the child’s progress.
According to SAPS, Pereira used her rest days to visit the baby at hospital, accompanied by her husband. During the visits, the couple spent time with the infant and donated essential items to assist with his care and recovery.
Police said the visits were not part of the constable’s official duties but stemmed from her concern for the child’s wellbeing after helping to rescue him.
The police service highlighted the gesture during Child Protection Week, describing it as an example of the compassion and humanity that underpin community policing.
“While police officers are often recognised for fighting crime and making arrests, acts such as these highlight the human side of policing,” SAPS said in a statement.
The police service added that the actions of the officers involved in both the rescue and subsequent support of the child reflected the dedication and commitment expected of members serving vulnerable communities.
The circumstances surrounding the infant’s abandonment remain under investigation.
The incident comes as South Africa marks Child Protection Week, an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness about the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and encouraging communities to play an active role in protecting them from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
